I graduated...

I've been riding with the Can Am Spyder groups for the last 4 years. Great machines in general, and I NEVER thought I would get rid of it. But, I made the mistake of looking at a BMW R NineT for fun. It was down hill (or up hill!) from there.

Since January:

I've bought a 2016 R NineT and farkled it up. Even upgraded the suspension (Wilbers) myself.
Stopped riding my beloved Spyder because of the R NineT was getting all of my miles
Started looking at K1600's.
Traded in my Spyder on Saturday for a K1600B.
Joined BMW MOA today!
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Welcome to the MOA and to the world of BMW! Those are some nice specimens...one for eating up the long distance miles and the other bike just because!!

20774 said:

Welcome to the MOA and to the world of BMW! Those are some nice specimens...one for eating up the long distance miles and the other bike just because!!

Click to expand...

Exactly: "just because!"

Welcome to BMW and the MOA.
Are the RnineT and K1600 your first motorcycles?

Welcome and congratulations. I bought my first BMW in 1990 or so, a 16 year old R90/6 in Curry, sun faded to almost white. Previously I had only had Japanese bikes. The BMW seemed odd and many things were wrong, but somehow it got in my blood. It taught me to ride smoother and more deliberate, it rewarded me with a nirvana like experience on 60-70 mph two lane roads with gentle sweeping curves. The bike came into its own in that situation, everything worked. They get in your blood.


I have a handful of Japanese bikes, and have even added a Ducati and Harley, but I have way more BMWs than all the others combined. I've only sold 3 BMWs (including the first one) and wish I had all of them back.


The Spyder is what it is. Its a tool for a certain job. I'll not bash it, but I'll say that I am a motorcycle guy and in my opinion that's not a motorcycle. For me what makes a motorcycle is the way it turns, its more akin to an airplane than a car. When you remove that dynamic you remove the reason I ride.


You have a couple really nice bikes, my guess is you are just getting started.

Lee said:

Welcome to BMW and the MOA.
Are the RnineT and K1600 your first motorcycles?

Click to expand...

Thank you.

As an "adult" they are my first motorcycles. Had one as a teenager.

This is the year of the "motorcycle" for me. I don't like making new year's resolutions but instead make a commitment to learning something the entire year. Past years were videography, landscape astrophotography, landscape photography.....

So, I kind of consume myself into the topic for the year and it becomes part of my life. I got this particular idea when I spent a day at the Berber Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. I was taken back by all of the pieces, but especially the BMW /2 bikes. Started looking to buy one, and then a level head told me to get a modern one that was similar.

Bought the R Nine T in January and have already put 4500 miles on it. I started very slow in parking lots and really tried to learn the feel for it. I gradually moved my way up to faster speeds and learning timing. Plus, focusing on safety all the time. Spent three days riding all over Big Bend National Park with it for some Milky Way pictures.

My Spyder sat, and I knew someone else should enjoy it. The Spyder organizations and events are really friendly. I'm 49 years old and felt a bit "young" in the crowd. made some life-long friends, though.

A dealer gave me a good amount on my Spyder trade-in and I went right to the K1600B. That was last Saturday, and I've already gone over 500 miles!

scqtt said:

Welcome and congratulations. I bought my first BMW in 1990 or so, a 16 year old R90/6 in Curry, sun faded to almost white. Previously I had only had Japanese bikes. The BMW seemed odd and many things were wrong, but somehow it got in my blood. It taught me to ride smoother and more deliberate, it rewarded me with a nirvana like experience on 60-70 mph two lane roads with gentle sweeping curves. The bike came into its own in that situation, everything worked. They get in your blood.


I have a handful of Japanese bikes, and have even added a Ducati and Harley, but I have way more BMWs than all the others combined. I've only sold 3 BMWs (including the first one) and wish I had all of them back.


The Spyder is what it is. Its a tool for a certain job. I'll not bash it, but I'll say that I am a motorcycle guy and in my opinion that's not a motorcycle. For me what makes a motorcycle is the way it turns, its more akin to an airplane than a car. When you remove that dynamic you remove the reason I ride.


You have a couple really nice bikes, my guess is you are just getting started.

Click to expand...

I hear what you are saying. A Spyder is much more like a motorcycle than the Slingshot or Vanderhall. But, I "get your drift." It is a VERY powerful machine that is excellent for two up touring. Very smooth with car-size tires, but it ain't like two wheels, and that's what I've discovered over the last 5 months!

Barber Museum

The bike that started it all for me at the Barber Motorcycle Museum:


.1969 BMW R60US Vintage Motorcycle by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

Another from the museum:

BMW Black 2 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

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.Barber Motorsports Museum by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

One Goal for me in 2019

I want to duplicate this shot, or something similar to this. I shot this near Deadwood, SD last summer.
..Lost in Space with Spyder Small by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

One of my days of motorcycle culture was hanging out at Revival Cycles in Austin. They open their shop up once a month for breakfast and coffee. oh, my. They have a lot in the works. Big operation. They were still building a secret skeleton BMW bike. (I think that is what it was referred as.)Revival Motorcycles-4 by Todd Ehrlich, on FlickrRevival Motorcycles-3 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

Handbuilt Motorcycle Show

Revival Cycles also has a Handbuilt Motorcycle Show. I hit that a few weeks ago, too. Some awesome work.Handbuilt Motorcycle-11 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr
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Handbuilt Motorcycle-5 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr
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.Handbuilt Motorcycle-7 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr
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.Handbuilt Motorcycle-6 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

So, I've been very busy since January getting this two-wheel thing down again... And because I live in Austin, Texas, I couldn't miss the MotoGP. I had never been to a professional motorcycle race, and I spent three days there. Had great seats and bought a paddock pass. I even got to RIDE the Circuit of the Americas track twice!!

Marquez going through Turn 15. He was 3 seconds ahead when he crashed at Turn 12. I witnessed the entire event.
MotoGP Marquez Turn 15 Composite by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

I also learned who "The Doctor" was and that Team Suzuki is up and coming with their big win. Needless to say, I learned a LOT about MotoGP. I'm a big fan now!!
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.MotoGP Austin 2019 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr
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.MotoGP Austin 2019 day 1-6 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

MotoGP Austin 2019 day 1-16 by Todd Ehrlich, on Flickr

You have picked a couple of nice bikes.....for all occasions. Good luck with them.

Nice job with the photography as well.

Enjoy the forum.

Gary